Traffic shielding using selective illumination

ABSTRACT

Particular embodiments may provide for a method of providing illumination for a vehicle. A user input related to controlling a headlamp assembly for a vehicle may be received. The headlamp assembly may comprise a laser-based lamp positioned to provide high-beam illumination, including a plurality of beam subfields, and a light sensor configured to capture images of objects illuminated by the headlamp assembly. Instructions to activate the headlamp assembly may be sent. Images of a scene illuminated by the headlamp assembly may be captured. An object of interest in the images of the scene may be detected. The detected objects may be identified as a traveling vehicle moving along a path in a beam field of the lamp. Instructions to dim light emitted by the laser-based lamp within at least one subfield of the beam field may be sent. The subfield may correspond to a location of the traveling vehicle.

INTRODUCTION

Modern vehicles generally provide for a static high-beam illuminationsetting. However, the static high-beam illumination may negativelyimpact other drivers and may result in a driver not using the statichigh-beam illumination. Consequently, the driver’s overall visibilityand time to reach to conditions ahead may be diminished.

SUMMARY

In particular embodiments, a method may provide selective high-beamillumination for a vehicle. For example, if a traveling vehicle iswithin the beam field of the high-beam illumination from a laser-basedlamp of the primary vehicle, the high-beam illumination may dim lightoutput towards the other vehicle to minimize negatively affecting thedriver of the other vehicle.

In response to receiving user-input about controlling a headlampassembly, artificial intelligence-based techniques (e.g., computervision or machine-learning models) may be utilized to detect, identify,and assess illuminated objects. For example, the detecting the object ofinterest may comprise segmenting the captured images to locateboundaries of the illuminated objects in the images of the scene. Thedetected object may be classified as an object of interest based onfeatures of the illuminated objects in the images of the scene. From thefeatures of the illuminated objects in the images of the scene, each ofthe objects in the scene may be determined as a traveling vehicle.

The dimming light output towards the other vehicle may include dimminglight within a beam subfield of the beam field. The beam subfields maycorrespond to a location of the traveling vehicle within the beam field.More than one beam subfield may be dimmed simultaneously. The amount ofdimming of the light output within a beam subfield can vary from 0%dimming (e.g., full brightness) to 100% dimming (e.g., turned off).

The embodiments disclosed above are only examples, and the scope of thisdisclosure is not limited to them. Particular embodiments may includeall, some, or none of the components, elements, features, functions,operations, or steps of the embodiments disclosed above. Embodimentsaccording to the invention are in particular disclosed in the attachedclaims directed to a method, a storage medium, a system and a computerprogram product, wherein any feature mentioned in one claim category,e.g., method, can be claimed in another claim category, e.g., system, aswell. The dependencies or references back in the attached claims arechosen for formal reasons only. However any subject matter resultingfrom a deliberate reference back to any previous claims (in particularmultiple dependencies) can be claimed as well, so that any combinationof claims and the features thereof are disclosed and can be claimedregardless of the dependencies chosen in the attached claims. Thesubject-matter which can be claimed comprises not only the combinationsof features as set out in the attached claims but also any othercombination of features in the claims, wherein each feature mentioned inthe claims can be combined with any other feature or combination ofother features in the claims. Furthermore, any of the embodiments andfeatures described or depicted herein can be claimed in a separate claimand/or in any combination with any embodiment or feature described ordepicted herein or with any of the features of the attached claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates an example four-lamp headlamp assembly integrated ina vehicle.

FIG. 1B illustrates an example two-lamp headlamp configurationintegrated in a vehicle.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of dimming light within a beam subfield ofa beam field and increasing brightness within a prescribed focal region.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of dimming light within abeam subfield of a beam field for traffic shielding.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of increasing brightnesswithin a prescribed focal region for bending light.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of object detection.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of hazard detection.

FIG. 7A illustrates an example off-road hazard detection.

FIG. 7B illustrates example alerts of an off-road hazard to a driver.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example headlamp assembly graphic projection.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example high-beam illumination with high-beamboost.

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate different example views of an off-roadhigh-beam illumination with high-beam boost and a high-beamillumination.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example side view of an infrared low-beam.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example interior view of a low-light drivingassistant.

FIG. 13A illustrates an example four-lamp headlamp assemblyconfiguration.

FIG. 13B illustrates an example three-lamp headlamp assemblyconfiguration.

FIG. 13C illustrates an example two-lamp headlamp assemblyconfiguration.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example vehicle.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example network system including a connectedvehicle.

FIG. 16A is a schematic of an example computer system.

FIG. 16B illustrates example firmware for a vehicle ECU.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

In particular embodiments, a method may provide illumination for avehicle to illuminate and detect potential objects of interest. Forexample, a driver may be alerted to a detected illuminated object ofinterest from images of a scene illuminated and captured by the headlampassembly. The headlamp assembly may illuminate the scene by alaser-based white light lamp or a laser-based infrared lamp and maycapture images of the illuminated scene by a light sensor.

Artificial intelligence-based techniques (e.g., computer vision ormachine-learning models) may be utilized to detect, identify, and assessthe illuminated objects. For example, the detecting the object ofinterest may include segmenting the captured images to locate boundariesof the illuminated objects in the images of the scene. The detectedobject may be classified as an object of interest based on features ofthe illuminated objects in the images of the scene. From the features ofthe illuminated objects in the images of the scene, a level of risk ofimpact may be determined for each of the objects in the scene. Based onthe detection of the objects of interest, an alert may be provided. Thealert may also be based on the risk of impact determined for each of theobjects in the scene.

In particular embodiments, a method may provide selective high-beamillumination for a vehicle. For example, if a traveling vehicle iswithin the beam field of the high-beam illumination from a laser-basedlamp of the primary vehicle, the high-beam illumination may dim lightoutput towards the other vehicle to minimize negatively affecting thedriver of the other vehicle.

In response to receiving user-input about controlling a headlampassembly, artificial intelligence-based techniques (e.g., computervision or machine-learning models) may be utilized to detect, identify,and assess illuminated objects. For example, the detecting the object ofinterest may comprise segmenting the captured images to locateboundaries of the illuminated objects in the images of the scene. Thedetected object may be classified as an object of interest based onfeatures of the illuminated objects in the images of the scene. From thefeatures of the illuminated objects in the images of the scene, each ofthe objects in the scene may be determined as a traveling vehicle.

In particular embodiments, a method may provide for illumination for avehicle, where the illumination distribution may be modified for spatialbeam shaping. For example, when a vehicle is approaching a curve in aroad, the high-beam illumination distribution may be modified toincrease brightness of one or more beam subfields of the high-beamillumination within a focal region which may be the intended directionof travel.

Artificial intelligence-based techniques (e.g., computer vision ormachine-learning models) may be utilized to detect, identify, and assessthe focal region. The focal region for the high-beam illumination may bedetermined based on images captured by the light sensor. The focalregion for the high-beam illumination may be based on an identifiedcurve in front of the vehicle. The curve may be determined based on roadmarkings or road signs or a road surface. The focal region may also bedetermined based on a user input for controlling vehicle movement (e.g.,steering, turn-signal activation, accelerating, or braking), a kineticstate (e.g., speed or acceleration) of the vehicle, or an upcomingchange in direction of the vehicle based on information defining a routeof travel (e.g., based on a calculated route from a user-inputteddestination or based on mapping data related to the roadway the vehicleis currently traveling on).

When the brightness of the one or more beam subfields of the high-beamillumination increases within the focal region, the total energyconsumption may remain constant (i.e., there may be no increase inenergy consumption when the brightness within the focal regionincreases).

FIG. 1A illustrates an example four-lamp headlamp assembly 110integrated in vehicle 100. In particular embodiments, four-lamp headlampassembly 110 may be positioned at the front of vehicle 100A. As anexample and not by way of limitation, four-lamp headlamp assembly 110may be positioned at the position of a traditional headlamp assembly.

FIG. 1B illustrates an example two-lamp headlamp assembly 115 integratedin vehicle 105. In particular embodiments, two-lamp headlamp assembly116 may be positioned at the front of vehicle 105. As an example and notby way of limitation, two-lamp headlamp assembly 115 may be positionedat the position of a traditional headlamp assembly. Two-lamp headlampassembly 115 may be smaller than four-lamp headlamp assembly 110 or thetraditional headlamp assembly.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example variable illumination pattern 200 ofvehicle 210. The variable illumination pattern 200 may be dimming lightwithin beam subfields 220 of beam field 230 from headlamp assemblies235. Beam field 230 may include a plurality of beam subfields 220. Oneor more images of the scene illuminated by the headlamp assembly 235 maybe captured by a light sensor. Headlamp assembly 235 may include alaser-based lamp positioned to provide high-beam illumination in theform of broad-spectrum, incoherent white light. The light sensor may becapable of capturing images in the visible spectrum or in the infraredspectrum. The captured images may be segmented to locate boundaries ofilluminated objects in images of the scene. The object of interest inthe images of the scene may be detected. The detected objects may beidentified as traveling vehicle 240A-C moving along a path in beam field23. The detected objects may be identified as traveling vehicle 240A-Cbased on features of the illuminated objects in the images of the scene.Traveling vehicle 240A-C may be determined as same-direction travelingvehicle 240A or opposite-direction traveling vehicles 240B-C.

The features for each illuminated object may comprise a shape ofilluminated object based on the boundaries, a classification ofilluminated object as stationary or moving, or a kinematics assessmentfor illuminated object. The shape of the illuminated object may be usedto determine the illuminated object as a vehicle. The vehicle capturedin the images of the scene may be at any angle relative to vehicle 210.For example, the vehicle captured in the images of the scene may besame-direction traveling vehicle 240A, opposite-direction travelingvehicles 240B-C, or may be a vehicle crossing in front of vehicle 210 atan intersection.

The classification of the illuminated object as stationary or moving maybe used to determine illuminated object as traveling vehicle. Theclassification of illuminated object as stationary or moving may bebased the captured images of the scene. For example, if the illuminatedobject changes position relative to the scene, the illuminated objectmay be classified as a moving vehicle. A moving vehicle may beclassified as traveling vehicles 240A-C, but a stationary vehicle maynot be classified as traveling vehicles 240A-C. The traveling vehiclemay be further classified as an approaching or a departing vehicle basedon the captured images of the scene. For example, the traveling vehicleincreasing in size in subsequent captured images of the scene may beclassified as an approaching vehicle and the traveling vehicledecreasing in size in subsequent captured images of the scene may beclassified as a departing vehicle.

The kinematics assessment for illuminated object may be a calculatedacceleration of the illuminated object, a calculated velocity of theilluminated object, a calculated relative velocity between theilluminated object and vehicle 210, or a predicted trajectory of theilluminated object. The kinematics assessment of the illuminated objectmay also be used to determine the path of same-direction travelingvehicle 240A or opposite-direction traveling vehicles 240B-C.

In particular embodiments, same-direction traveling vehicle 240A may beclassified as traveling in the same direction as vehicle 210 andopposite-direction vehicles 240B-C may be classified as traveling in theopposite direction as vehicle 210 based on features of the travelingvehicle.

In some embodiments, beam subfields 220 may be dimmed for travelingvehicles 240A-C. Beam Subfields 220 may also dim for users on a wheelbased mode of transportation (e.g., bicycles, scooters, or longboards).When and where beam subfields 220 are dimmed may be based on the path oftraveling vehicles 240A-C. One or more beam subfields 220 may be dimmedat simultaneously. The number of beam subfields 220 dimmed may correlatewith the number of traveling vehicles 240A. A size and shape of beamsubfield 220 may correspond to a size and shape of the travelingvehicle. The size and shape of beam subfields 220 may also correspond toan area to minimize high-beam illumination glare to the driver oftraveling vehicles 240A-C. The high-beam illumination glare may comprisedirect light or indirect light (e.g., reflected from a mirror or otherreflective surface) from headlamp assembly 235. Beam subfields 220 mayalso be at maximum brightness until reaching traveling vehicle boundary260 or until threshold distance 270. Beam subfield 220 may be based onthe predicted trajectory of the traveling vehicle. Beam subfield 220 mayfurther be based on when the traveling vehicle will intersect beam field230 or subfield 220.

The dimming of beam subfield 220 may be based on the direction of travelof traveling vehicles 240A-C. The amount of dimming of the light outputwithin a beam subfield can vary from 0% dimming (e.g., full brightness)to 100% dimming (e.g., turned off). The dimming of beam subfield 220 maybe greater in a subarea within the field of vision of a driver oftraveling vehicle 240A-C than the rest of beam subfield 220 outside thedriver’s field of vision. The differential in dimming may reduce theglare experienced by the driver of the traveling vehicle whileilluminating traveling vehicle 240A-C for the driver of the primaryvehicle.

In particular embodiments, the detection of traveling vehicles 240A-Cmay be based on roadway 250. Roadway 250 may comprise center line 252,same-direction shoulder line 254A, and opposite-direction shoulder line254B. Traveling vehicles 240A-C may be determined as a same-directiontraveling vehicle 240A when the traveling vehicle is between center line252 and the same-direction shoulder line 254A. Traveling vehicles 240A-Cmay be determined as a same-direction traveling vehicle 240B-C when thetraveling vehicle is between center line 252 and the same-directionshoulder line 254B.

In particular embodiments, variable illumination pattern 200 may beincreasing brightness within prescribed focal region 280. Focal region280 may be a direction of intended travel of vehicle 210. Focal region280 may also be an inside corner of a curve on roadway 250. Foal region280 may also comprise one or more corners of an intersection. Focalregion 280 may be based on a speed or acceleration of vehicle 210. Focalregion 280 may be a region without traveling vehicles 240A-C.

In particular embodiments, focal region 280 may be determined based oncurve 290 in front of vehicle 210. The road markings, such as centerline 252 or shoulder lines 254A-B, or road signs in front of the vehiclemay be used to determine curve 290 in front of vehicle 210. The curvemay be determined based on a path, radius, or slope of curve 290. Thepath, radius, or slope of curve 290 may be determined based on the roadmarkings or road signs in front of vehicle 210.

Curve 290 may also be determined based on a road surface of roadway 250in front of vehicle 210. The road surface may comprise a constructedroad surface or a natural surface compacted by regular travel.

Focal region 280 may be determined based on a predicted trajectory. Thepredicted trajectory may be based on detecting a user-input forcontrolling vehicle movement (e.g., a steering angle, a turn signalactivation, or a throttle input or a brake input). The focal region maybe determined based on the amount of steering angle inputted by theuser. For example, a slight steering input (e.g., making a shallow turn)by the user may result in increased brightness of the focal region wherethe focal region is slightly off from center in the direction of thesteering input, while a large steering input (e.g., making a sharp turnor U-turn) may result in the focal region being more deflected fromcenter in the direction of the steering input. The turn signalactivation may be used to determine the left or right direction of curve290. Focal region 280 may also be determined based on a kinetic state ofthe vehicle. The kinetic state of the vehicle may comprise a speed oracceleration of vehicle 210. An increase in acceleration or velocity mayraise the height of the focal region, and a deceleration or decrease invelocity may lower the focal region.

In particular embodiments, focal region 280 may be determined based onan upcoming change in direction of the vehicle based on informationdefining a route of travel. The information defining the route of travelmay be inputted by the user.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart depicting a method 300 of shielding trafficincluding steps performed to dim light within a beam subfield of a beamfield. Method 300 may begin at step 310 with the control modulereceiving user input related to controlling a headlamp assembly 235 forvehicle 210. Method 300 may then continue at step 320 with the controlmodule sending instructions to activate the headlamp assembly. Method300 may then continue at step 330 with the light sensor capturing imagesof a scene illuminated by headlamp assembly 235. Method 300 may thencontinue at step 340 with the control module detecting one or moreobjects in the images of the scene. At decision point 350, the controlmodule may determine whether any of the detected objects are objects ofinterest for which the headlamp illumination should be dimmed (e.g., inorder to shield the objects of interest from being blinded). If adetected object is identified as an object of interest, method 300 maythen continue at step 360 with the control module identifying one ormore of the detected objects as a traveling vehicle moving along a pathin beam field 230 of the laser-based lamp. Method 300 may continue atstep 370 with the control module sending instructions to dim lightemitted by the laser-based lamp within at least one beam subfield 220 ofbeam field 230. Otherwise, if no objects of interest are identified,then at step 380, the control module maintains the existing beam field230.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart depicting a method 400 of bending light includingsteps performed to increase brightness within a prescribed focal region.Method 400 may begin at step 410 with the control module sending asignal to activate headlamp assembly 235 for vehicle 210. Method 400 maythen continue at step 420 with the control module identifying curve 290or junction in front of vehicle 210. At decision point 430, the controlmodule may determine whether beam shaping is desirable—thisdetermination may be based on an assessment of the landscape visible infront of the vehicle (e.g., if an estimated curvature of curve 290exceeds a threshold), global positioning coordinates associated with thevehicle and area near the vehicle (mountainous areas where street lightsare less likely), and/or vehicle service or insurance informationassociated with a known location near the vehicle (e.g., accidents havebeen reported at vehicle service center or through insurance reporting).If beam shaping is determined to be desirable, method 400 may thencontinue at step 440 with the control module determining focal region280 for the high-beam illumination. In some embodiments, step 440 mayinclude activating the high-beam illumination if not already activated.Method 400 may then continue at step 450 with the control module sendinginstructions to configure the laser-based lamp to modify a distributionof the high-beam illumination within focal region 280. The distributionmay be modified by modifying the brightness of the one or more beamsubfields. The distribution may also be modified by modifying the shapeof the one or more beam subfields. Otherwise, if beam shaping is notdetermined to be desirable, then at step 460, the control modulemaintains the existing headlamp illumination.

The junction in front of vehicle 210 may be two or more roadways orwalkways intersecting. Junctions may include, four-way 90-degreeintersections, on- or off-ramps from highways, roundabouts,T-intersections, or pedestrian crosswalks across a roadway. The junctionmay include one or more corners.

Modify a distribution of the high-beam illumination within focal region280 may be based on weather conditions. For example, during heavy fogweather conditions, the focal region may be lowered to reduce high-beamglare from light reflecting off the fog.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example object detection. Object 510 may beilluminated by infrared light 520. The infrared light may originate fromthe laser low-beam lamp with infrared capabilities or high-beam lampwith high-beam boost and infrared capabilities. Object 510 may also beilluminated by white light. Images of a scene illuminated by theheadlamp assembly may be captured by a light sensor. The light sensormay be capable of capturing images in the visible spectrum or theinfrared spectrum. The light sensor may also be capable of determining adistance to the object of interest based on the infrared light. Imagesof a scene captured in infrared may be converted to the visiblespectrum. Displayed images 525 may be the converted images of a scene orimages of a scene originally captured in the visible spectrum. Displayedimages 525 may be displayed on infotainment screen 530 or dash screen535.

Object 510 may be detected as an object of interest. The detecting maycomprise segmenting the captured images to locate boundaries of object510 in the images of the scene. Object 510 may be partially occluded bythe scene in the captured images. The detecting may further compriseclassifying object 510 as being an object of interest based on featuresof object 510 in the images of the scene. Features of object 510 maycomprise an estimation of a size of object 510, a shape of obj ect 510based on the boundaries, a proximity of obj ect 510 to the vehicle, akinematics assessment of object 510, a classification of object 510 asstationary or moving, a classification of object 510 as a live human oranimal or neither, a classification of object 510 as a change interrain, an estimated type of damage to vehicle 210 attributable to animpact with object 510. The kinematics assessment may comprise anestimated mass of object 510, a calculated acceleration of object 510, acalculated velocity of object 510, a calculated relative velocitybetween object 510 and vehicle 210, a predicted trajectory of object510, an estimated force of impact with object 510; or a time to impactfor the object 510, which may be classified as an object of interest.The detecting may comprise determining whether the predicted trajectoryof obj ect 510 intersects with identified roadway 560. The classifyingmay comprise determining a level of risk of a negative outcomeassociated with encountering each of the objects in the scene based onthe features of the illuminated objects in the images of the scene. Thenegative outcome may be an outcome that poses a hazard to vehicle 210 orits occupants.

Object 510 may be classified as a live human or animal based on theshape of the illuminated object. The classification may be further basedon whether the illuminated object is classified as moving. Theclassification of the object as moving may be based on the calculatedvelocity or the calculated acceleration of the illuminated object asnon-zero.

In particular embodiments, displayed images 525 may contain depiction ofobject 540 or depiction of roadway 545. Depiction of object 540 may bebased on object 510. Depiction of roadway 545 may be based on roadway560. Displayed images 525 may also contain distance information 550 andtime to impact information 555. Displayed images 525 may also contain aposition of object 510, or a velocity of object 510, or aclassification-based label for object 510.

In some embodiments, vehicle 210 may provide alerts by displaying avisual output or visual indicators on infotainment screen 530, heads-updisplay, or dash screen 535. The visual output or visual indicators mayinclude information regarding distance to the object of interest, aclassification of the object of interest, or a type of damage if vehicle210 is impacted with the object of interest. Alerts may also be providedby emitting an auditory output by one or more speakers of vehicle 210.Alerts may also be generated haptic feedback by one or more actuators inan internal component of vehicle 210 in contact with a driver of thevehicle. The intensity of the alerts may vary with the risk of impactwith the object of interest. When object 510 is classified as a livehuman or animal, vehicle 210 may activate sound-making devices or one ormore lights external to the vehicle. The sound-making devices or one ormore lights may be configured to alert the live human or animal ofvehicle 210.

In some embodiments, alerts may be displayed on infotainment display530, dash display 535, or the heads-up display at the same time. In someembodiments, alerts on the heads-up display may be displayed at adifferent time than the alert is displayed on infotainment display 530or dash display 535. The alert may be displayed on the heads-up displaywhen the driver is closer to the object of interest. For example, theheads-up display may provide a last opportunity reminder to the driverin the event the driver has not reacted to the alert displayed oninfotainment display 530, dash display 535, or the auditory or hapticfeedback associated with the alert. The alert may also be displayed onthe heads-up display when the features of the objects of interest havechanged. For example, the heads-up display may provide an additionalalert when a formerly stationary animal begins to move towards thevehicle.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart depicting a method 600 for detecting a hazard.Method 600 may begin at step 610 with the control module receiving userinput related to controlling a headlamp assembly 235 for vehicle 210.Method 600 may then continue at step 620 with the control module sendinginstructions to activate the headlamp assembly 235. Method 600 may thencontinue at step 630 with the control module capturing images of thescene illuminated by the headlamp assembly 235. Method 600 may thencontinue at step 640 with the control module detecting an object ofinterest in the images of the scene. At decision point 650, the controlmodule may determine whether any of the detected objects are objects ofinterest for which the headlamp illumination should be dimmed (e.g., inorder to shield the objects of interest from being blinded). If adetected object is identified as an object of interest, method 600 maythen continue at step 660 with the control module providing an alertregarding the one or more objects of interest. Otherwise, if no objectsof interest are identified, then the control module returns to capturingimages of the scene.

FIG. 7A illustrates an example hazard detection 700. Vehicle 210 mayoutput white light 710 or infrared light from headlamp assembly 235. Thewhite light 710 or infrared light may illuminate a hazard. The hazardmay be a cliff drop-off 720 or cliff wall 725. The hazard may bedetected based on vehicle’s 210 capabilities. Vehicle’s 210 capabilitiesmay comprise an approach angle, a break-over angle, a departure angle,drive system (e.g., all-wheel drive, four-wheel drive, or two-wheeldrive), stopping power of brakes, coefficient of friction of tires, orturning radius.

In particular embodiments, when the hazard is detected, one or morevisual indicators, or graphics, may be shown to identify the hazard. Thegraphics may be projected from headlamp assembly 235 of vehicle 210. Thegraphics may also be projected inside the vehicle to a heads-up display.The graphics may differ depending on the hazard. For example, when thehazard is a cliff-drop off 720, the drop graphic 740 may be displayed toindicate the area as a drop. When the hazard is cliff wall 725,wall-graphic 742 may be displayed. Graphics may also comprise ahighlighted path 744 to avoid the hazard. The graphics may compensatefor the terrain such that the graphic is understandable by the driver.For example, the projection of the graphics may compensate for the slopeof the surface the graphic is displayed upon to minimize distortion.

FIG. 7B illustrates example alerts of a hazard to the driver. The alertsmay include various graphics and symbols to indicate a hazard. Thegraphics and symbols may include warning triangle 750, turning indicator760, drop-graphic 740, drop-boundary 770, or hazard indicator 780. Thegraphics and symbols may also include a direction graphic, a proximitygraphic, or a pathway graphic.

In particular embodiments, the alerts may be displayed on infotainmentdisplay 530 or dash display 535. The alerts may also be displayed on aheads-up display. The alerts may be projected from headlight assembly235.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example headlamp assembly graphic projection 800of vehicle 210. Graphics 810 are projected from headlamp assembly 235.Graphics may comprise images or symbols. Graphics 810 may be used toplay one or more games.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example high-beam boost illumination 910 fromheadlamp assembly 235. The high-beam boost may be a higher light outputthan traditional high-beam headlamps. The high-beam boost may reach adistance of about 630 meters when traveling on regulated roads (e.g.,city roads or highways). The high-beam boost may reach a distance ofabout 1000 meters on unregulated roads (e.g., dirt trails or off-road).

FIG. 10A illustrates an example side view of high-beam boostillumination 910 and high-beam illumination 1020 of vehicle 210.High-beam boost illumination 1010 may illuminate a greater distance thanhigh-beam illumination 1020. High-beam illumination 1020 may illuminatea wider area than high-beam boost illumination 910.

FIG. 10B illustrates an example perspective view of high-beam boostillumination 1010 and high-beam illumination 1020 of vehicle 210.High-beam boost illumination 910 may illuminate a greater distance thanhigh-beam illumination 1020. High-beam illumination 1020 may illuminatea wider area than high-beam boost illumination 910.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example side view of the infrared low-beamillumination 1110 and infrared high-beam illumination 1120. Infraredhigh-beam illumination 1120 may illuminate a greater distance thaninfrared low-beam illumination 1110. Infrared low-beam illumination 1110may illuminate a wider area than infrared high-beam illumination 1120.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example interior view of the infrared low-beamimage capture. Infrared light emitted from a laser low-beam lamp or alaser high-beam lamp may illuminate a low-light scene 1210. Theilluminated low-light scene 1210 may be captured by a light sensor. Thecaptured infrared image may be converted to a visible spectrum or to agray scale image. The converted image 1220 may be displayed oninfotainment screen 530. The converted image may also be displayed ondash screen 535. The converted image displayed may aid the driver innavigating without the use of white-light illumination. Infraredillumination may be less intrusive or disruptive as compared towhite-light illumination. For example, white-light illumination maycause wild animals to approach vehicle 210.

FIG. 13A illustrates an example four lamp headlamp assembly 1300Aconfiguration. Laser low-beam lamp 1310 may provide broad-spectrumincoherent white light. Laser low-beam lamp with infrared capabilities1320 may provide broad-spectrum incoherent white light and infraredspectrum light. Laser low-beam lamp with infrared capabilities 1320 maybe integrated into a single laser-based light source. Laser low-beamlamp with infrared capabilities may comprise laser low-beam 1322 andinfrared low-beam 1325. Infrared low-beam 1325 may be positioned as aring about laser low-beam 1322.

High-beam matrix lamp 1330 may increase or decrease the brightness of aportion (e.g., a subfield) of the high-beam beam field. The high-beammatrix lamp may change the brightness of a portion of the high-beam beamfield without changing the brightness of another portion of thehigh-beam beam field. When the portion of the high-beam beam fieldbrightness is decreased, the power consumed by the high-beam matrix lampmay decrease.

Laser high-beam lamp with infrared capabilities 1340 may providebroad-spectrum incoherent white light and infrared spectrum light. Laserhigh-beam lamp with infrared capabilities 1340 may also comprise ahigh-beam boost lamp. The high-beam boost lamp may output light aboutone kilometer in distance. The high-beam boost lamp may also beintegrated with the laser high-beam lamp such that the laser high-beamlamp operates as a laser high-beam lamp until high-beam boost isenabled. When high-beam boost is enabled, the integrated laser high-beamlamp may operate as a high-beam boost lamp.

Laser low-beam lamp with infrared capabilities 1340 may be integratedinto a single laser-based light source. Laser high-beam lamp withinfrared capabilities 1340 may comprise laser high-beam 1342 andinfrared high-beam 1345. Laser high-beam 1342 may also comprise thehigh-beam boost lamp. Infrared high-beam 1345 may be positioned as aring about laser high-beam with high-beam boost 1342.

Laser low-beam lamp 1310 or laser low-beam lamp with infraredcapabilities 1320 may output a broad-spectrum incoherent white lightbeam field with, by way of example and not limitation, a vertical beamspread of up to 25 degrees and the vertical beam spread may be 15degrees above and 10 degrees below a horizontal center line of thewhite-light beam field. High-beam matrix lamp 1330 or laser high-beamwith infrared capabilities 1340 may output a white light beam fieldwith, by way of example and not limitation, a vertical beam spread of upto 10 degrees and the vertical beam spread may be 5 degrees above and 5degrees below a horizontal center line of the white light beam field.

FIG. 13B illustrates an example three lamp headlamp configuration 1300B.First lamp 1350 may be a laser low-beam lamp 1310, a laser low-beam lampwith infrared capabilities 1320, a high-beam matrix lamp 1330, or ahigh-beam laser lamp with infrared capabilities 1340. Second lamp 1353may be a laser low-beam lamp 1310, a laser low-beam lamp with infraredcapabilities 1320, a high-beam matrix lamp 1330, or a high-beam laserlamp with infrared capabilities 1340. Third lamp 1356 may be a laserlow-beam lamp 1310, a laser low-beam lamp with infrared capabilities1320, a high-beam matrix lamp 1330, or a high-beam laser lamp withinfrared capabilities 1340.

FIG. 13C illustrates an example two-lamp headlamp configuration 1300C.Top lamp 1560 may be a laser low-beam lamp 1310, a laser low-beam lampwith infrared capabilities 1320, a high-beam matrix lamp 1330, or ahigh-beam laser lamp with infrared capabilities 1340. Bottom lamp 1365may be a laser low-beam lamp 1310, a laser low-beam lamp with infraredcapabilities 1320, a high-beam matrix lamp 1330, or a high-beam laserlamp with infrared capabilities 1340.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example vehicle 1400. Vehicle 1400 may includemultiple sensors 1410, multiple cameras 1420, and a control system 1430.In some embodiments, vehicle 1400 may be able to pair with a computingdevice 1450 (e.g., smartphone 1450 a, tablet computing device 1450 b, ora smart vehicle accessory). As an example and not by way of limitation,a sensor 1410 may be an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a magnometer, aglobal positioning satellite (GPS) signal sensor, a vibration sensor(e.g., piezoelectric accelerometer), a light detection and ranging(LiDAR) sensor, a radio detection and ranging (RADAR) sensor, anultrasonic sensor, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a humiditysensor, a chemical sensor, an electromagnetic proximity sensor, anelectric current sensor, another suitable sensor, or a combinationthereof. As an example and not by way of limitation, a camera 1420 maybe a still image camera, a video camera, a 3D scanning system (e.g.,based on modulated light, laser triangulation, laser pulse, structuredlight, light detection and ranging (LiDAR)), an infrared camera, anothersuitable camera, or a combination thereof. Vehicle 1400 may includevarious controllable components (e.g., doors, seats, windows, lights,HVAC, entertainment system, security system), instrument and informationdisplays and/or interactive interfaces, functionality to pair acomputing device 1450 with the vehicle (which may enable control ofcertain vehicle functions using the computing device 1450), andfunctionality to pair accessories with the vehicle, which may then becontrollable through an interactive interface in the vehicle or througha paired computing device 1450.

Control system 1430 may enables control of various systems on-board thevehicle. As shown in FIG. 14 , control system 1430 may comprise one ormore electronic control units (ECUs), each of which are dedicated to aspecific set of functions. Each ECU may be a computer system (asdescribed further in FIG. 16 ), and each ECU may include functionalityprovide by one or more of the example ECUs described below.

In particular embodiments, one or more functions of the headlamps asdescribed herein may be controlled by a Body Control Module (BCM) ECU.The BCM ECU may provide electronic controls for various components ofthe body of the vehicle, such as, by way of example and not limitation:exterior lighting (e.g., headlamps, side lights, rear lights, camplights) and interior lighting (e.g., cabin lights, seatbelt lights).

In particular embodiments, one or more functions of the headlamps asdescribed herein may be controlled in part by information provided byECUs providing automated driving system (ADS) and/or an advanced driverassistance system (ADAS) functionality. The ADS and/or ADAS systems maybe enabled by a driver of the vehicle to provide one or more functionsto support driving assistance and/or automation. An Autonomy ControlModule (ACM) ECU may process data captured by cameras 1420 and/orsensors 1410. In some embodiments, the ACM ECU may provide artificialintelligence functionality to provide and/or refine functions to supportdriving assistance and/or automation. An Autonomous Safety Module (ASM)ECU may provide functions to support driving safety by monitoringsensors that support self-driving functions. A Driver Monitoring System(DMS) ECU may provide functionality to monitor and inform the controlsystem about the driver’s level of attention (e.g., while relying ondriving assistance and/or automation functions).

In particular embodiments, one or more functions of the headlamps asdescribed herein may be controlled through a user interface displayed ona dashboard of the vehicle by an Experience Management Module (XMM) ECU.The user interface may display information and provide audio output foran infotainment system, including various views around and inside thevehicle. XMM may provide interactive controls for a number of differentvehicle functions that may be controlled in conjunction with enablingthe designated mode, such as, by way of example and not limitation:controlling interior and exterior lighting, vehicle displays (e.g.,instrument cluster, center information display, and rear consoledisplay), audio output (e.g., audio processing, echo cancellation, beamfocusing), music playback, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning(HVAC) controls, power settings, Wi-Fi connectivity, Bluetooth deviceconnectivity, and vehicle leveling, as well as displaying information inthe user interface (e.g., surround view camera feed, distance to nearestcharger, and minimum range). In some embodiments, interactive controlsprovided by XMM may enable interaction with other modules of controlsystem 1430. In some embodiments, functions of the ACM and the XMM maybe combined together in an Autonomous eXperience Module (AXM) ECU.

In particular embodiments, one or more functions of the headlamps asdescribed herein may be controlled in part by information provided by aVehicle Dynamics Module (VDM) ECU may perform a number of differentfunctions related to aspects of the vehicle’s drivetrain, regenerativebraking, suspension, steering, traction control, distribution of mass,aerodynamics, and driving modes. In some embodiments, a VDM ECU may, byway of example and not limitation, control vehicle acceleration, controlvehicle energy regeneration, calculate torque distribution, providetraction control, control drive modes, provide odometer functions,control driveline disconnects, adjust damping, adjust roll stiffness,adjust ride height, automatically level a vehicle when on a slope, andcontrol the emergency parking brake driver.

In particular embodiments, one or more functions of the headlamps asdescribed herein may be controlled in part by information provided by aTelematics Control Module (TCM) ECU may provide a wireless vehiclecommunication gateway to support functionality such as, by way ofexample and not limitation, over-the-air (OTA) communication between thevehicle and the internet or the vehicle and a computing device 1450,in-vehicle navigation, vehicle-to-vehicle communication, communicationbetween the vehicle and landscape features (e.g., automated toll roadsensors, automated toll gates, power dispensers at charging stations),or automated calling functionality.

Vehicle 1400 may include one or more additional ECUs, such as, by way ofexample and not limitation: a Central Gateway Module (CGM) ECU, aVehicle Access System (VAS) ECU, a Near-Field Communication (NFC) ECU, aSeat Control Module (SCM) ECU, a Door Control Module (DCM) ECU, a RearZone Control (RZC) ECU, a Winch Control Module (WCM) ECU. If vehicle1400 is an electric vehicle, one or more ECUs may provide functionalityrelated to the battery pack of the vehicle, such as a Battery ManagementSystem (BMS) ECU, a Battery Power Isolation (BPI) ECU, a BalancingVoltage Temperature (BVT) ECU, and/or a Thermal Management Module (TMM)ECU.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example networked environment 1500. Computersystem 1500 may include a connected vehicle 1400 with a control system1430 that is capable of transmitting data to/from a network 1510.Network 1510 may also be connected to one or more computing servers 1520(e.g., including compute units 1522 and storage units 1524) associatedwith a vehicle manufacturer, a vehicle service provider, a vehicle fleetoperator, or a vehicle charging facility provider. Network 1510 may alsobe connected to one or more third-party computing servers 1530 (e.g.,including compute units 1532 and storage units 1534) associated with,for example, a smart accessory manufacturer, a group event organizer, ora governmental organization. Networked environment 1500 may include oneor more landscape features 1540 (e.g., automated toll road sensors,smart road signs or road markers, automated toll gates, power dispensersat charging stations). Networked environment 1500 may also include otherconnected vehicles 1550 that may be capable of communicating withvehicle 1400 through network 1510 and/or directly with vehicle 1400(e.g., by communicating with a TMM ECU of a control system 1430 ofvehicle 1400 when connected vehicle 1550 is within range of ashort-range communications network, such as Bluetooth). Networkedenvironment 1500 may also include one or more computing devices 1450(e.g., smartphone 1450 a, a tablet computing device 1450 b, or a smartvehicle accessory) capable of communicating with network 1510 and/ordirectly with vehicle 1400.

Networked environment 1500 may enable transmission of data andcommunications between any of the depicted elements. In someembodiments, such information may be communicated in only one direction(e.g., a smart road sign broadcasting information related to trafficcontrol or delays due to construction); in other embodiments,information may include two-way communications (e.g., an automated tollgate that processes a request received from vehicle 1400 to deduct atoll from a specified account and provides confirmation of thetransaction). In particular embodiments, one or more elements ofnetworked environment 1500 may include one or more computer systems, asdescribed in further detail with respect to FIG. 16A. In particularembodiments, one or more elements of networked environment 1500 performone or more steps of one or more methods described or illustratedherein. In particular embodiments, software running on one or moreelements of networked environment 1500 may be controlled by a singleentity to perform one or more steps of one or more methods described orillustrated herein or provide functionality described or illustratedherein.

FIG. 16A illustrates an example computer system 1600. Computer system1600 may include a processor 1602, memory 1604, storage 1606, aninput/output (I/O) interface 1608, a communication interface 1610, and abus 1612. Although this disclosure describes one example computer systemincluding specified components in a particular arrangement, thisdisclosure contemplates any suitable computer system with any suitablenumber of any suitable components in any suitable arrangement.

This disclosure contemplates any suitable number of computer systems1600. This disclosure contemplates computer system 1600 taking anysuitable physical form. As example and not by way of limitation,computer system 1600 may be an electronic control unit (ECU), anembedded computer system, a system-on-chip (SoC), a single-boardcomputer system (SBC) (such as, for example, a computer-on-module (COM)or system-on-module (SOM)), a desktop computer system, a laptop ornotebook computer system, a mainframe, a mesh of computer systems, amobile telephone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a server computingsystem, a tablet computer system, or a combination of two or more ofthese. Where appropriate, computer system 1600 may include one or morecomputer systems 1600; be unitary or distributed; span multiplelocations; span multiple machines; span multiple data centers; or residein a cloud, which may include one or more cloud components in one ormore networks. Where appropriate, one or more computer systems 1600 mayperform without substantial spatial or temporal limitation one or moresteps of one or more methods described or illustrated herein. One ormore computer systems 1600 may perform in real time or in batch mode oneor more steps of one or more methods described or illustrated herein.One or more computer systems 1600 may perform at different times or atdifferent locations one or more steps of one or more methods describedor illustrated herein, where appropriate.

Processor 1602 (e.g., compute units 1522 and 1532) may include hardwarefor executing instructions, such as those making up a computer program.As an example and not by way of limitation, to execute instructions,processor 1602 may retrieve (or fetch) the instructions from an internalregister, an internal cache, memory 1604, or storage 1606; decode andexecute them; and then write one or more results to an internalregister, an internal cache, memory 1604, or storage 1606 (e.g., storageunits 1524 and 1534). Processor 1602 may include one or more internalcaches for data, instructions, or addresses. This disclosurecontemplates processor 1602 including any suitable number of anysuitable internal caches. Processor 1602 may also include one or moreinstruction caches, one or more data caches, and one or more translationlookaside buffers (TLBs). Instructions in the instruction caches may becopies of instructions in memory 1604 or storage 1606, and theinstruction caches may speed up retrieval of those instructions byprocessor 1602. Data in the data caches may be copies of data in memory1604 or storage 1606 for instructions executing at processor 1602 tooperate on; the results of previous instructions executed at processor1602 for access by subsequent instructions executing at processor 1602or for writing to memory 1604 or storage 1606; or other suitable data.The data caches may speed up read or write operations by processor 1602.The TLBs may speed up virtual-address translation for processor 1602. Inparticular embodiments, processor 1602 may include one or more internalregisters for data, instructions, or addresses. This disclosurecontemplates processor 1602 including any suitable number of anysuitable internal registers, where appropriate. Where appropriate,processor 1602 may include one or more arithmetic logic units (ALUs); bea multicore processor; or include one or more processors 1602. Althoughthis disclosure describes and illustrates a particular processor, thisdisclosure contemplates any suitable processor.

In particular embodiments, memory 1604 includes main memory for storinginstructions for processor 1602 to execute or data for processor 1602 tooperate on. Computer system 1600 may load instructions from storage 1606or another source (such as, for example, another computer system 1600)to memory 1604. Processor 1602 may then load the instructions frommemory 1604 to an internal register or internal cache. To execute theinstructions, processor 1602 may retrieve the instructions from theinternal register or internal cache and decode them. During or afterexecution of the instructions, processor 1602 may write one or moreresults (which may be intermediate or final results) to the internalregister or internal cache. Processor 1602 may then write one or more ofthose results to memory 1604. In particular embodiments, processor 1602executes only instructions in one or more internal registers or internalcaches or in memory 1604 (as opposed to storage 1606 or elsewhere) andoperates only on data in one or more internal registers or internalcaches or in memory 1604 (as opposed to storage 1606 or elsewhere). Oneor more memory buses (which may each include an address bus and a databus) may couple processor 1602 to memory 1604. Bus 1612 may include oneor more memory buses, as described below. In particular embodiments, oneor more memory management units (MMUs) reside between processor 1602 andmemory 1604 and facilitate accesses to memory 1604 requested byprocessor 1602. In particular embodiments, memory 1604 includes randomaccess memory (RAM). This RAM may be volatile memory, where appropriate.Where appropriate, this RAM may be dynamic RAM (DRAM) or static RAM(SRAM). Moreover, where appropriate, this RAM may be single-ported ormulti-ported RAM. This disclosure contemplates any suitable RAM. Memory1604 may include one or more memories 1604, where appropriate. Althoughthis disclosure describes and illustrates particular memory, thisdisclosure contemplates any suitable memory.

In particular embodiments, storage 1606 includes mass storage for dataor instructions. As an example and not by way of limitation, storage1606 may include a hard disk drive (HDD), a floppy disk drive, flashmemory, an optical disc, a magneto-optical disc, magnetic tape, or aUniversal Serial Bus (USB) drive or a combination of two or more ofthese. Storage 1606 may include removable or non-removable (or fixed)media, where appropriate. Storage 1606 may be internal or external tocomputer system 1600, where appropriate. Where appropriate, storage 1606may include non-volatile, solid-state memory or read-only memory (ROM).The ROM may be mask-programmed ROM, programmable ROM (PROM), erasablePROM (EPROM), electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), electricallyalterable ROM (EAROM), or flash memory or a combination of two or moreof these. This disclosure contemplates mass storage taking any suitablephysical form. Storage 1606 may include one or more storage controlunits facilitating communication between processor 1602 and storage1606, where appropriate. Where appropriate, storage 1606 may include oneor more storage units 1606. Although this disclosure describes andillustrates particular storage, this disclosure contemplates anysuitable storage.

In particular embodiments, I/O interface 1608 includes hardware,software, or both, providing one or more interfaces for communicationbetween computer system 1600 and one or more I/O devices. Computersystem 1600 may include or be communicably connected to one or more ofthese I/O devices, where appropriate. One or more of these I/O devicesmay enable communication between a person and computer system 1600. Aninput device may include devices for converting different forms ofvolitional user input into digital signals that can be processed bycomputer system 1600, for example and not by way of limitation, akeyboard, a keypad, microphone (e.g., to provide audio input), a camera(e.g., to provide gesture input or facial/body expression input), amouse or trackball, stylus, touch screen, digital glove, hand-held 3Dcontroller, head-mounted controller, optical motion-sensing systems(comprising infrared light projectors and detectors and/or cameras),non-optical (e.g., inertial, mechanical, magnetic, or stretchsensor-based) motion-capture systems, another suitable input device, ora combination of two or more of these. An input device may include oneor more sensors for capturing different types of information. An outputdevice may include devices designed to receive digital signals fromcomputer system 1600 and convert them to some output format, for exampleand not by way of limitation, a paper or other 2D-media printer, 3Dprinter, speaker, headphones, projector, monitor, heads-up display,vehicle, drone, robot, another suitable output device, or a combinationthereof. This disclosure contemplates any suitable I/O devices and anysuitable I/O interfaces 1608 for them. Where appropriate, I/O interface1608 may include one or more device or software drivers enablingprocessor 1602 to drive one or more of these I/O devices. I/O interface1608 may include one or more I/O interfaces 1608, where appropriate.Although this disclosure describes and illustrates a particular I/Ointerface, this disclosure contemplates any suitable I/O interface.

In particular embodiments, communication interface 1610 includeshardware, software, or both providing one or more interfaces forcommunication (such as, for example, packet-based communication) betweencomputer system 1600 and one or more other computer systems 1600 or oneor more networks. Communication interface 1610 may include one or moreinterfaces to a controller area network (CAN) or to a local interconnectnetwork (LIN). Communication interface 1610 may include one or more of aserial peripheral interface (SPI) or an isolated serial peripheralinterface (isoSPI). In some embodiments, communication interface 1610may include a network interface controller (NIC) or network adapter forcommunicating with an Ethernet or other wire-based network or a wirelessNIC (WNIC) or wireless adapter for communicating with a wirelessnetwork, such as a WI-FI network. This disclosure contemplates anysuitable network and any suitable communication interface 1610 for it.As an example and not by way of limitation, computer system 1600 maycommunicate with an ad hoc network, a personal area network (PAN), alocal area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a metropolitan areanetwork (MAN), or one or more portions of the Internet or a combinationof two or more of these. One or more portions of one or more of thesenetworks may be wired or wireless. As an example, computer system 1600may communicate with a wireless PAN (WPAN) (such as, for example, aBLUETOOTH WPAN), a WI-FI network, a WI-MAX network, a cellular telephonenetwork (such as, for example, a Global System for Mobile Communications(GSM) network), or other suitable wireless network or a combination oftwo or more of these. Computer system 1600 may include any suitablecommunication interface 1610 for any of these networks, whereappropriate. Communication interface 1610 may include one or morecommunication interfaces 1610, where appropriate. Although thisdisclosure describes and illustrates a particular communicationinterface, this disclosure contemplates any suitable communicationinterface.

In particular embodiments, bus 1612 includes hardware, software, or bothcoupling components of computer system 1600 to each other. As an exampleand not by way of limitation, bus 1612 may include an AcceleratedGraphics Port (AGP) or other graphics bus, an Enhanced Industry StandardArchitecture (EISA) bus, a front-side bus (FSB), a HYPERTRANSPORT (HT)interconnect, an Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, an INFINIBANDinterconnect, a low-pin-count (LPC) bus, a memory bus, a Micro ChannelArchitecture (MCA) bus, a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, aPCI-Express (PCIe) bus, a serial advanced technology attachment (SATA)bus, a Video Electronics Standards Association local (VLB) bus, oranother suitable bus or a combination of two or more of these. Bus 1612may include one or more buses 1612, where appropriate. Although thisdisclosure describes and illustrates a particular bus, this disclosurecontemplates any suitable bus or interconnect.

Herein, a computer-readable non-transitory storage medium or media mayinclude one or more semiconductor-based or other integrated circuits(ICs) (such, as for example, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) orapplication-specific ICs (ASICs)), hard disk drives (HDDs), hybrid harddrives (HHDs), optical discs, optical disc drives (ODDs),magneto-optical discs, magneto-optical drives, solid-state drives(SSDs), RAM-drives, any other suitable computer-readable non-transitorystorage media, or any suitable combination of two or more of these,where appropriate. A computer-readable non-transitory storage medium maybe volatile, non-volatile, or a combination of volatile andnon-volatile, where appropriate.

FIG. 16B illustrates example firmware 1650 for a vehicle ECU 1600 asdescribed with respect to control system 1430. Firmware 1650 may includefunctions 1652 for analyzing sensor data based on signals received fromsensors 1410 or cameras 1420 received through communication interface1610. Firmware 1650 may include functions 1654 for processing user input(e.g., directly provided by a driver of or passenger in vehicle 1400, orprovided through a computing device 1450) received through I/O interface1608. Firmware 1650 may include functions 1656 for logging detectedevents (which may be stored in storage 1606 or uploaded to the cloud),as well as functions for reporting detected events (e.g., to a driver orpassenger of the vehicle through an instrument display or interactiveinterface of the vehicle, or to a vehicle manufacturer, serviceprovider, or third party through communication interface 1610). Firmware1650 may include functions 1658 for assessing safety parameters (e.g.,monitoring the temperature of a vehicle battery or the distance betweenvehicle 1400 and nearby vehicles). Firmware 1650 may include functions1660 for transmitting control signals to components of vehicle 1400,including other vehicle ECUs 1600.

Herein, “or” is inclusive and not exclusive, unless expressly indicatedotherwise or indicated otherwise by context. Therefore, herein, “A or B”means “A, B, or both,” unless expressly indicated otherwise or indicatedotherwise by context. Moreover, “and” is both joint and several, unlessexpressly indicated otherwise or indicated otherwise by context.Therefore, herein, “A and B” means “A and B, jointly or severally,”unless expressly indicated otherwise or indicated otherwise by context.

The scope of this disclosure encompasses all changes, substitutions,variations, alterations, and modifications to the example embodimentsdescribed or illustrated herein that a person having ordinary skill inthe art would comprehend. The scope of this disclosure is not limited tothe example embodiments described or illustrated herein. Moreover,although this disclosure describes and illustrates respectiveembodiments herein as including particular components, elements,feature, functions, operations, or steps, any of these embodiments mayinclude any combination or permutation of any of the components,elements, features, functions, operations, or steps described orillustrated anywhere herein that a person having ordinary skill in theart would comprehend. Furthermore, reference in the appended claims toan apparatus or system or a component of an apparatus or system beingadapted to, arranged to, capable of, configured to, enabled to, operableto, or operative to perform a particular function encompasses thatapparatus, system, component, whether or not it or that particularfunction is activated, turned on, or unlocked, as long as thatapparatus, system, or component is so adapted, arranged, capable,configured, enabled, operable, or operative. Additionally, although thisdisclosure describes or illustrates particular embodiments as providingparticular advantages, particular embodiments may provide none, some, orall of these advantages.

1. A method of providing illumination for a primary vehicle, comprising:receiving, by one or more control modules of the primary vehicle, userinput related to controlling a headlamp assembly for a primary vehicle,the headlamp assembly comprising: a laser-based lamp positioned toprovide high-beam illumination, wherein the high-beam illuminationcomprises a beam field of light comprising a plurality of beamsubfields; and a light sensor configured to capture images of objectsilluminated by the headlamp assembly; sending, by the one or morecontrol modules, instructions to activate the headlamp assembly;capturing, by the light sensor, images of a scene illuminated by theheadlamp assembly; detecting, by the one or more control modules, anobject of interest in the images of the scene; identifying, by the oneor more control modules, one or more of the detected objects as atraveling vehicle moving along a path in the beam field of thelaser-based lamp; and sending, by the one or more control modules,instructions to dim light emitted by the laser-based lamp within atleast one beam subfield, wherein the at least one beam subfieldcorresponds to a location of the traveling vehicle within the beamfield.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the object ofinterest comprises: segmenting the captured images to locate boundariesof illuminated objects in the images of the scene.
 3. The method ofclaim 2, wherein the detecting the object of interest further comprises:classifying, based on features of the illuminated objects, the detectedobject as being the traveling vehicle.
 4. The method of claim 3, whereinthe features for one or more of the illuminated objects comprises: ashape of the illuminated object based on the boundaries; aclassification of the illuminated object as stationary or moving; or akinematics assessment for the illuminated object.
 5. The method of claim4, wherein the kinematics assessment for the illuminated objectcomprises: a calculated acceleration of the illuminated object; acalculated velocity of the illuminated object; a calculated relativevelocity between the illuminated object and the primary vehicle; or apredicted trajectory of the illuminated object.
 6. The method of claim1, further comprising: calculating a predicted trajectory of thetraveling vehicle; and sending, based on the predicted trajectory of thetraveling vehicle, instructions to dim the light emitted by thelaser-based lamp.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the beam subfieldencompasses a boundary of the traveling vehicle.
 8. The method of claim1, wherein the beam subfield encompasses a subarea within a boundary ofthe traveling vehicle or a subarea corresponding to a field of vision ofa driver of the traveling vehicle.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein thefield of vision of the driver of the traveling vehicle comprises directand indirect light sources, wherein indirect light sources comprisesreflected light.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the instructions todim light emitted by the laser-based lamp within at least one beamsubfield comprise: instructions to dim the light emitted within the beamsubfield by a first specified percentage; and instructions to dim thelight emitted within the subarea of the beam subfield by a secondspecified percentage, wherein the second specified percentage is greaterthan the first specified percentage.
 11. The method of claim 1, whereinthe instructions to dim light emitted by the laser-based lamp within atleast one beam subfield comprise instructions to dim the light emittedwithin the beam subfield by a specified percentage.
 12. The method ofclaim 11, wherein the specified percentage by which the light emittedwithin the beam subfield is 100% when the traveling vehicle is movingalong the path in the beam field in a direction heading towards theprimary vehicle.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the specifiedpercentage by which the light emitted within the beam subfield is lessthan 100% when the traveling vehicle is moving along the path in thebeam field in a direction heading away from the primary vehicle.
 14. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the instructions to dim light emitted by thelaser-based lamp within at least one beam subfield comprise instructionsto direct the light emitted within the beam subfield at an angledesigned to avoid a viewing angle of a driver of the traveling vehicle.15. The method of claim 1, wherein the traveling vehicle comprises userson a wheel-based mode of transportation.
 16. The method of claim 1,wherein a total energy consumption of the laser-based lamp decreaseswhen the brightness of the high-beam illumination within the beamsubfield decreases.
 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the high-beamillumination is in the form of broad spectrum, incoherent white light.18. The method of claim 1, wherein the headlamp assembly furthercomprising a laser-based infrared lamp wherein the images areilluminated by infrared light, further comprising: determining, by thelight sensor, a distance to the traveling vehicle.
 19. A systemincluding one or more computing devices, comprising: one or morenon-transitory computer-readable storage media including instructions;and one or more processors coupled to the one or more storage media, theone or more processors configured to execute the instructions to:receive, by one or more control modules of the primary vehicle, userinput related to controlling a headlamp assembly for a primary vehicle,the headlamp assembly comprising: a laser-based lamp positioned toprovide high-beam illumination, wherein the high-beam illuminationcomprises a beam field of light comprising a plurality of beamsubfields; and a light sensor configured to capture images of objectsilluminated by the headlamp assembly; send, by the one or more controlmodules, instructions to activate the headlamp assembly; capture, by thelight sensor, images of a scene illuminated by the headlamp assembly;detect, by the one or more control modules, an object of interest in theimages of the scene; identify, by the one or more control modules, oneor more of the detected objects as a traveling vehicle moving along apath in the beam field of the laser-based lamp; and send, by the one ormore control modules, instructions to dim light emitted by thelaser-based lamp within at least one beam subfield, wherein the at leastone beam subfield corresponds to a location of the traveling vehiclewithin the beam field.
 20. A non-transitory computer-readable mediumcomprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors ofone or more computing devices, cause the one or more processors to:receive, by one or more control modules of the primary vehicle, userinput related to controlling a headlamp assembly for a primary vehicle,the headlamp assembly comprising: a laser-based lamp positioned toprovide high-beam illumination in the form of broad-spectrum, incoherentwhite light; and a light sensor configured to capture images of objectsilluminated by the headlamp assembly; send, by the one or more controlmodules, instructions to activate the headlamp assembly; capture, by thelight sensor, images of a scene illuminated by the headlamp assembly;detect, by the one or more control modules, an object of interest in theimages of the scene; identify, by the one or more control modules, oneor more of the detected objects as a traveling vehicle moving along apath in the beam field of the laser-based lamp; and send, by the one ormore control modules, instructions to dim light emitted by thelaser-based lamp within at least one beam subfield, wherein the at leastone beam subfield corresponds to a location of the traveling vehiclewithin the beam field.